“It’s not a scam,” the boy interrupted calmly. “My grandma taught me. Her name was Mrs. Rosa. She helped people back in San Miguel. I know pressure points. Herbs. If it doesn’t work, you can send me away. But if it does…”
He locked eyes with Daniel.
“She’ll run.”
Something twisted inside Daniel—hope and desperation colliding.
Lily leaned forward.
“Daddy… who is he?”
The boy smiled, and suddenly he looked like a normal child again.
“Hi, princess. I’m Ethan Brooks.”
Daniel frowned. “How do you know her name?”
Ethan shrugged. “Everyone talks. The shop lady said Mr. Whitmore’s daughter can’t walk anymore. She said you looked really sad.”
Daniel’s chest tightened. He hated that his pain had become public.
Lily raised her hand slightly.
“Can you really help me?”
Ethan knelt so they were eye level.
“I can try. But you have to want it too. My grandma said legs are stubborn… but hearts are worse.”
Daniel swallowed hard. He looked at his daughter. Then at the boy.
“Okay,” he said finally. “But we do this properly. My wife present. And if I don’t like anything—it stops.”
Ethan hesitated. “I’m poor, sir. I don’t want to cause trouble.”